System and method for retaining portion of lifeline for fall protection

Abstract

Systems and methods for a fall limiting device are provided. An apparatus includes a housing having a lifeline therein. The fall protection mechanism is configured to apply a braking force to the lifeline based on movement of the lifeline. A retention retainer is attached to the lifeline, the retention retainer configured to retain a portion of the lifeline in the housing during a first operating condition. The fall limiting device is configured to allow a held portion of the lifeline to extend from the housing during a second operating condition, wherein the fall protection mechanism is configured to apply a braking force to the lifeline during the second operating condition.

Description

Background Art

[0001] In high safety applications (such as, for example, working on a building roof), a fall restraint device, such as a self-retracting lanyard (SRL), is often provided for connection to a structure or safety rope. In normal operation, the fall restraint device allows a lifeline to be output from the fall restraint device to allow the user some freedom of movement. In the event of a fall, the fall restraint device may include a mechanism for arresting the fall while maintaining the integrity of the fall restraint device and the lifeline in order to avoid or limit injury. Summary of the invention

[0002] Systems and methods for fall restraint devices are provided. A device includes a housing having a lifeline therein. A fall arrest mechanism is configured to apply a braking force to the lifeline based on movement of the lifeline. A retention retainer is attached to the lifeline, the retention retainer being configured to retain a portion of the lifeline in the housing during a first operating condition. The fall restraint device is configured to allow the retained portion of the lifeline to extend from the housing during a second operating condition, wherein the fall arrest mechanism is configured to apply a braking force to the lifeline during the second operating condition.

[0003] In another example, a method of arresting a fall of a user includes providing a housing having a lifeline therein, wherein the housing is connected to a structure and the lifeline is connected to the user. Paying out a portion of the lifeline from the housing during normal operating conditions while retaining a retained portion of the lifeline in the housing, wherein the retained portion is retained within the housing by a retention retainer attached to a point on the lifeline. Paying out the retained portion from the housing during a fall operating condition, and activating an arrest mechanism to apply a braking force to the lifeline based on paying out the retained portion.

[0004] In another example, a fall restraint device includes a housing having a lifeline therein, a fall arrest mechanism configured to apply a braking force to the lifeline based on movement of the lifeline, a retention retainer attached to the lifeline; and a lifeline stop connected to the housing, the lifeline stop configured to interact with the retention retainer during normal operating conditions to retain a portion of the lifeline in the housing. The lifeline stop is configured to be broken or disconnected from the housing based on a force applied to the lifeline stop by the retention retainer that is greater than a threshold force. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1 is a diagram depicting the safety rope system that secures personnel performing construction operations to the top of a structure.

[0006] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram depicting a fall restraint device operating in a first normal operating condition.

[0007] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram depicting a fall restraint device during a second fall operating condition.

[0008] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an unwind speed limit controller attached to a rotatable drum in a stowed position.

[0009] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram depicting a fall restraint device utilizing a retention retainer.

[0010] Figure 6 is an interior view of a fall restraint.

[0011] Figure 7 Another interior view of the fall restraint device is provided.

[0012] Figure 8 Provides an external view of the fall restraint in normal operating conditions.

[0013] Fig. 9 An external view of the fall restraint apparatus after experiencing a second fall operating condition is provided.

[0014] Fig.10 Another exterior view of the fall restraining apparatus after experiencing a second fall operating condition is provided.

[0015] Fig.11 Components of a lifeline stop assembly are depicted.

[0016] Fig.12 is a schematic diagram depicting exemplary components of a retention holder.

[0017] Fig.13 A braided lifeline is depicted having a lifeline insert inserted between the strands of the lifeline.

[0018] Fig.14 A retention retainer is depicted mounted on a lifeline with shrink wrap material having been installed to cover both the retention retainer and a portion of the lifeline.

[0019] Fig.15 Exemplary steps for attaching a retention retainer to a lifeline are depicted.

[0020] Fig.16 is a flow chart depicting a method of arresting a fall of a user, the method including providing a housing having a lifeline therein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Systems and methods as described herein provide techniques for allowing a fall restraint device to output (pay out) a portion of a lifeline associated with the fall restraint device from its housing during normal operation to allow a connected user some freedom of movement while retaining a portion of the lifeline within the housing. In an embodiment, the fall restraint device utilizes a fall prevention mechanism that is activated based on the movement of the lifeline. If the fall restraint device allows the entire lifeline to be paid out, the fall prevention mechanism will not be activated. By retaining a portion of the lifeline within the housing during normal operation, but allowing the retained portion of the lifeline to pay out or extend during a fall condition, the fall prevention mechanism can be properly activated so that injury to the user is avoided or mitigated.

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram depicting a safety rope system for securing a person performing construction operations to the top of a structure. The system includes a first rigid member 102 in the form of a vertical column extending from a horizontal member 104 of the structure. The first rigid member 102 may be connected to the horizontal member 104 via a mechanical device such as bolts, screws, adhesives, etc. A safety rope 106 is connected to the first rigid member 102 and extends horizontally between the first rigid member 102 and a second rigid member (not shown). An operator 108 in the form of a user person performing construction operations wears a safety harness 110, via which the user 108 is connected to the safety rope 106 via a tether 112. Figure 1 The safety rope device enables the user 108 to traverse the structure anywhere within the tether length of the safety rope. The tether 112 is connected to a fall restraint device (not shown), which is further connected to the safety belt 110 of the user 108. According to embodiments herein, the fall restraint device is configured to pay out some lifeline during normal operation to allow the user 108 some freedom of movement, while a retention retainer attached to the lifeline retains a portion of the lifeline in the housing during this first normal operating condition.

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram depicting a fall restraint apparatus (not to scale) operating in a first normal operating condition. The fall restraint apparatus 202 is connected to a first structure 204 via a connection 206. The connection 206 can take a variety of forms, including a line from the fall restraint apparatus 202 to the first structure 204, which is connected directly or indirectly using a connection device(s) (such as a hook, clip, ring, shackle). The connection 206 can also be a direct connection device, such as a shackle connected to the fall restraint apparatus 202, which is clipped to a ring or hook attached to the first structure 204. The first structure 204 can take a variety of forms, including a wall, a rope (e.g., such as Figure 1), horizontal (e.g., floor) structures, and sloped roofs. User 208 is also connected to fall restraining device 202 via lifeline 210, a portion of the length of which is wrapped around a lifeline drum 212 inside the housing of fall restraining device 202. In an example, when working on a horizontal second structure 220 near where fall restraining device 202 is connected to first structure 204 via 206, user 208 is connected to lifeline 210 of fall restraining device 202 via a connection device such as a hook, clip, ring, or shackle. In an embodiment, user 208 can clip in and out of lifelines of different fall restraining devices as user 208 moves around the worksite. Lifeline 210 can take a variety of forms, including a single metal rope, a braided metal rope, a single synthetic material rope, a synthetic material rope made of multiple strands, and a natural material rope made of strands.

[0024] In a first normal operation, such as when user 208 is safely working on second structure 220, fall restraint device 202 allows a portion of lifeline 210 to be paid out from the housing of fall restraint device 202 to provide some freedom of movement to user 208. In fall restraint device 202 that takes the form of a self-retracting lanyard, lifeline drum 212 may be biased by a spring or other mechanism that reels in the paid out lifeline 210 when not under tension for the current position of user 208. Retention retainer 214 may be attached to the lifeline (e.g., at a particular point on lifeline 210) to limit the amount of lifeline 210 that may be paid out. In an embodiment, when the point on the lifeline 210 having the retention retainer 214 reaches a threshold of the fall restraining device 202 at the lifeline stop 216 (e.g., a slot that is wide enough to allow the lifeline 210 to pass through but the wider retention retainer 214 cannot pass through), the interaction of the retention retainer 214 and the lifeline stop 216 prevents further output of the lifeline 210 from the fall restraining device 202 during a first normal operating condition.

[0025] The fall restraint device 202 also includes a fall prevention mechanism 218, which is Figure 2The fall prevention mechanism 218 acts alone or in combination with other fall prevention mechanisms (e.g., an in-line energy absorber connected between the lifeline 210 and the user 208, between the fall restraining device 202 and the first structure 204) to stop and mitigate damage from a user falling. In an embodiment, the fall prevention mechanism 218 is deployed based on the movement of the lifeline 210 (e.g., acceleration, centripetal force caused by rapid payout). In some instances, the fall prevention mechanism 218 is attached to the lifeline drum 212 and is deployed based on the force experienced when the lifeline drum 212 rotates at a rate greater than a threshold rate. For example, and as further described herein, the fall prevention mechanism 218 may include one or more pawls that rotate from a stowed position to an engaged position based on the centripetal force provided by the rotation of the lifeline drum 212 when the lifeline 210 is paid out at a high rate, such as during a fall condition. This deployment is expected to occur regardless of whether the lifeline 210 is only slightly paid out, paid out near the location where the retention retainer 214 interacts with the lifeline stop 216, and the lifeline 210 is paid out to the point where the retention retainer 214 interacts with the lifeline stop 216. In the event that the lifeline 210 is fully paid out prior to a fall condition (i.e., past the point where the retention retainer 214 will interact with the lifeline stop 216), the lifeline drum 212 will not rotate such that the fall prevention mechanism 218 may not properly deploy. Retaining a portion of the lifeline 210 via the interaction of the retention retainer 214 and the lifeline stop 216 during the first normal operating condition ensures that a sufficient amount of lifeline 210 (e.g., half a meter, one meter) remains within the housing to cause sufficient rotation of the lifeline drum 212 to engage the fall prevention mechanism 218 during a fall event.

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram depicting the fall restraint device 202 during a second fall operating condition. Figure 3 In the example of FIG. 2 , user 208 remains connected to fall restraint device 202 via lifeline 210, which is further connected to first structure 204 via connection 206. Figure 3 In the example of FIG. 2 , user 208 has fallen from horizontal structure 220, which transitions fall restraint device 202 from a normal first operating condition to a second fall condition (e.g., a fall condition, an abnormal condition, an alarm condition, a warning condition, an emergency condition). Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 2 , in the second fall condition, the portion of lifeline 210 that retains retainer 214 (ie, the portion of lifeline 210 that was retained in the housing during the first normal operating condition) has extended outside of the housing of fall restraint device 202 .

[0027] As further described herein, this extension of the retained portion of the lifeline 210 from the fall restraining device (e.g., the portion of the lifeline behind the retention retainer 214) can occur in a variety of ways. For example, as shown by the solid line depiction of the lifeline stop 216, the retention retainer 214 can traverse (e.g., break) the lifeline stop 216 under the second fall operating condition. In one example, the retention retainer 214 can be made of a flexible material (e.g., rubber) that is not capable of traversing the lifeline stop 216 based on the forces experienced during the first normal operating condition. However, during the second fall condition, sufficient force can be applied to the retention retainer 214 and the lifeline stop 216 by the lifeline 210 connected to the falling user 208, causing the retention retainer 214 to deform and squeeze through the lifeline stop 216, thereby allowing the retained portion of the lifeline 210 to be released. In another example, the retention retainer 214 can be formed of a breakable material. When subjected to a force above a threshold level during a second fall condition, retention retainer 214 may be configured to break (e.g., without breaking lifeline 210) such that the point on lifeline 210 to which retention retainer 214 is attached may traverse lifeline stop 216, thereby allowing the retained portion of lifeline 210 to be paid out. In another embodiment, lifeline stop 216 may be configured to break (e.g., when made of a breakable material) or deform (e.g., when made of a flexible material) to allow retention retainer 214 to damage lifeline stop 216 and / or fall restraint device 202 housing.

[0028] In another example, indicated by the dashed form of lifeline stop 302, lifeline stop 302 may be configured to disconnect or otherwise disengage from the housing of fall restraint device 202 based on the forces experienced during the second fall condition. In such an embodiment, the force applied to lifeline stop 302 by retention retainer 214 during a fall event may exceed the maximum retention force between lifeline stop 302 and the housing of fall restraint device 202, causing lifeline stop 302 to disconnect from fall restraint device 202. In an embodiment, the connection (e.g., mechanical connection, adhesive connection) between lifeline stop 302 and fall restraint device 202 is designed to break by the expected forces experienced during the second fall condition. The disconnection of lifeline stop 302 from fall restraint device 202 allows the retained portion of lifeline 210 (e.g., lifeline 210 behind retention retainer 214) to be released from the housing of fall restraint device 202. In an embodiment, a displaced, broken, or missing lifeline stop 302 provides an indication that a fall has occurred. In some cases, certain components (e.g., lifeline 210, fall arrest mechanism 218, retention retainer 214, lifeline stop 216 / 302) will be replaced, secured, or refurbished after a fall event. The lifeline stop being in position 302 provides an indication that such replacement activity should occur, thereby preventing the fall restraint device 202 from being reused in a damaged state.

[0029] As described above and further below, paying out the retained portion of lifeline 210 during a fall condition (e.g., at a rapid rate) causes fall arrest mechanism 218 to be engaged (e.g., based on the acceleration forces experienced, based on the rapid rotation of lifeline drum 212 while the retained portion of lifeline 210 is unwound during a second fall condition) to provide a braking force on lifeline 210. In embodiments, engagement of fall arrest mechanism 218 may provide improved fall mitigation and injury prevention before lifeline 210 is fully paid out from the housing of fall restraint device 202. In embodiments, entry of fall restraint device 202 into the second fall condition may result in an alarm condition, wherein an audible alarm from fall restraint device 202 is sounded or a signal is sent from an antenna on fall restraint device 202 (e.g., to a server that tracks operational data (e.g., to monitor safety protocol compliance) alerting authorities of the alarm condition to initiate the sending of help). Such an alarm may be initiated based on activation of a switch (eg, a switch triggered when the lifeline stop 302 is disconnected from the housing of the fall limit device 202, a sensor detecting deployment of the fall prevention mechanism 218).

[0030] As discussed above, the fall prevention mechanism 218 may take a variety of forms. Figure 44 is a schematic diagram showing an unwinding speed limit controller attached to a rotatable reel in a stowed position. The outer surface of one of the side portions 402 of the rotatable reel includes a structure for retaining the unwinding speed limit controller. Figure 4 In the example of the structure includes a spring biased pawl 404. Figure 4 In the example of FIG. 4 , the structure includes a disc-shaped platform 406 on which the pawl 404 is located and a post 408 about which the pawl 404 rotates. In an embodiment, the post 408 can be wider at its outward end to help retain the pawl 404 so that the pawl 404 can snap into place. The first curved guide 410 facilitates the pawl 404 to rotate from its stowed position (in a clockwise direction) to the stowed position. Figure 4 4 (shown in FIG. 4 ) is rotated to its deployed position, wherein in the deployed position the teeth of the pawl 404 interact with the structure of the housing 412 to prevent the retractable lifeline 210 from being deployed from the fall restraining device 202. The structure for retaining the pawl 404 also includes a second curved guide structure 414. In an embodiment, the structure 414 can be used for a variety of purposes. First, the structure 414 can help retain the pawl 404 on the column 408 and can limit the counterclockwise rotation of the pawl 404 beyond its stowed position. In addition, the structure 414 can include a structure for docking with a spring (not shown). The spring can be positioned between the surface and the surface on the underside of the pawl 404 so as to bias the pawl 404 toward the depicted stowed position when subjected to a centripetal force less than the reaction force provided by the spring. Rotation of the drum at a rate faster than the threshold rate (e.g., during a second fall condition) causes a centripetal force greater than the spring force, which extends the pawl 404 to the engaged position. The retention retainer 214 is attached to the lifeline 210 so as to retain a sufficient portion of the lifeline 210 in the housing 412 to enable activation of the ratchet fall prevention mechanism. During the normal first operating condition, the retention retainer 214 strikes the lifeline stop 216, thereby preventing the lifeline 210 from fully paying out. During the second fall operating condition, the retained portion of the lifeline 210 is allowed to pay out by the retention retainer 214 breaking the lifeline stop 216, the lifeline stop 216 being disconnected from the fall restraint device housing 412, or otherwise. Thus, the fall prevention mechanism will engage any time a fall condition occurs (e.g., when an amount of lifeline less than and up to the amount allowed by the retention retainer 214 is paid out from the housing 412 before the fall condition begins).

[0031] Additional details regarding the fall prevention mechanism can be found in U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 710,365, filed on March 31, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Additional examples of fall prevention mechanisms, including those that utilize a tolerance ring as a component for applying a braking force to a lifeline based on the movement of the lifeline, are provided in U.S. Patent No. 9,670,980, filed on April 18, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0032] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram depicting a fall restraint device utilizing a retention retainer. The fall restraint device includes a housing 502 having a lifeline therein. Inside the fall restraint device is a fall arrest mechanism that is configured to apply a braking force to the lifeline 210 based on the movement of the lifeline 210. The device includes a retention retainer 214 attached to the lifeline 210. The retention retainer 214 is configured to retain a portion of the lifeline 210 in the housing 502 during a normal first operating condition. The fall restraint device also includes a lifeline stop 216 that is configured to assist the retention retainer 214 in retaining a portion of the lifeline 210 during a first normal operating condition based on the interaction between the retention retainer 214 and the lifeline stop 216. Figure 5 In the example of the embodiment of the present invention, the lifeline 210 is smaller than the opening in the lifeline stop 216 formed as a slot, so that the lifeline 210 can freely cross the lifeline stop 216 when being paid out or reeled in. However, the retention retainer 214 is larger than the opening of the lifeline stop 216, so that the retention retainer 214 cannot cross the lifeline stop 216 during the first normal operating condition. The fall restraint device is configured to allow the retained portion of the lifeline 210 to extend from the housing 502 during a second operating condition (e.g., a fall condition), wherein the fall prevention mechanism is configured to apply a braking force to the lifeline 210 during the second operating condition. It should be noted that in the event of a second fall condition and the lifeline 210 has not been released to the vicinity of the retention retainer 214, the fall prevention mechanism can apply a braking force and stop the release of the lifeline 210 before the retention retainer 214 reaches the lifeline stop 216, so that the retained portion of the lifeline 210 does not extend from the housing 502.

[0033] Figure 6 is an interior view of a fall restraint. Figure 6 The example of FIG. 2 shows a braided metal lifeline 210 having a retention retainer 214 attached thereto. A lifeline stop 216 is positioned at the output point of the housing of the fall restraint device, wherein during normal operating conditions, the interaction between the retention retainer 214 being wider than the slot of the lifeline stop 216 prevents the retained portion of the lifeline 602 from being paid out of the housing. Figure 7Another interior view of the fall restraint device is provided. Figure 7 Retention retainer 214 is shown interacting with lifeline stop 216 to retain a portion of lifeline 602 within the housing during a normal first operating condition. Figure 8 Provides an external view of the fall restraint in normal operating conditions. Figure 8 The lifeline stop 216 is shown in its installed position on the exterior of the housing of the fall restraint device. Figure 8 Lifeline 210 is shown extending from within the housing through lifeline stop 216 to the exterior.

[0034] Fig. 9 An external view of the fall restraint device after experiencing a second fall operating condition is provided. Fig. 9 , lifeline 210 extends from the housing through lifeline stop 216, wherein lifeline stop 216 is in a disengaged (disconnected) position. The disengaged position is caused by a force applied to lifeline stop 216 by a retention retainer (not shown) when lifeline 210 experiences a high force caused by a fall of a user connected to lifeline 210. The rapid payout force displaces lifeline stop 216 by overpowering one or more pins 902 that interact with one or more slots 904 to hold lifeline stop 216 in place during a normal first operating condition. Lifeline stop 216 and the components (902, 904) for holding it in place on the fall restraint device housing are designed to retain lifeline stop 216 in its engaged position during a normal first operating condition (see Figure 8 ), and disconnect to when a force exceeding a threshold value is applied to those components 902, 904, 216, which may occur in a fall scenario Fig. 9 For example, pin 902 may be designed to bend, break, or otherwise deform in the presence of such forces. Displaced lifeline stop 216 provides an indication that a fall has occurred and that the fall restraint device may require attention (e.g., replacement or refurbishment of certain components). As described above, disengaged lifeline stop 216 may cause an alarm to be sounded (e.g., based on a switch that is activated when pin 902 is not present in slot 904). Fig.10 Another exterior view of the fall restraint apparatus after experiencing a fall operating condition is provided.

[0035] Fig.11 Describes as Figure 8 and 9Components of a lifeline stop assembly shown on a fall restraining device in FIG. The lifeline stop assembly includes a frame 1102 having a frame slot 1104 and a pin slot 904. The assembly also includes a lifeline stop 216. The lifeline stop 216 has a lifeline slot 1108 that is wide enough to allow a lifeline to pass through, but not wide enough to allow a retention retainer to pass through in its normal intact configuration. The lifeline stop 216 includes a pin 902 that is configured to hold the lifeline stop 216 in place in the frame 1102. In one example, the pins 902 provide a designed failure point, wherein one or both of the pins 902 are configured to bend or break, displacing themselves from the slot 904 when subjected to the horizontal forces of a fall condition, thereby allowing the retained portion of the lifeline to extend from the housing and enabling the fall arrest mechanism to engage, even when the lifeline is paid out to the maximum allowed by the retention retainer.

[0036] Fig.12 is a schematic diagram depicting exemplary components of a retention retainer. The retention retainer may be attached to the lifeline in a variety of ways, such as mechanical crimping, adhesives, etc. In the case where the lifeline is made of multiple strands (e.g., a braided synthetic rope, cord, or rope), such as in Fig.12 , the retention retainer can be fixed to the rope to avoid or alleviate the sliding of the retention retainer along the rope. In this example, the strands of the lifeline 210 are separated at the desired installation point to allow the lifeline insert 1202 to be installed in the lifeline 210. The insert 1202 can take various forms, including flexible materials (such as deformable rubber, some forms of plastic) or more rigid materials (such as metal or hard plastic). The lifeline insert 1202 includes a first hole through it. The lifeline 210 in which the lifeline insert 1202 is installed passes through the retainer shell 1204. The retainer shell 1204 includes a plurality of second holes. Once in place, the retaining pin 1206 (e.g., a tapered pin, a screw to cause a stronger fit) is inserted through one of the second holes of the retainer shell 1204, the first hole of the lifeline insert 1202, and another of the second holes of the retainer shell 1204. In an embodiment, a heat shrink material (not shown) may then be applied to at least a portion of both the lifeline 210 and the retention retainer to protect those components from damage. Fig.13 A braided lifeline 210 is depicted having a lifeline insert 1202 inserted between the strands of the lifeline 210 . Fig.14 A retention retainer is depicted installed on a lifeline wherein a first layer of heat shrink material 1402 has been installed with an additional second layer of heat shrink material 1404 that covers both the retention retainer and a portion of the installed lifeline.

[0037] Fig.15Exemplary steps for attaching a retention retainer to a lifeline are depicted. At 1502, a lifeline insert 1202 is inserted between the strands of a lifeline, wherein the lifeline insert 1202 includes a first hole. At 1504, a heat shrink layer 1402 is added to protect the lifeline (e.g., to prevent the rope from rolling on the lifeline insert 1202 and protect the lifeline from damage), and a portion of the heat shrink 1402 aligned with the first hole of the lifeline insert is removed. At 1506, the lifeline is inserted into the retainer shell 1204, with the hole of the retainer shell 1204 aligned with the hole of the lifeline insert 1202 (and the removed portion of the heat shrink 1402). At 1508, a pin 1206 (e.g., a tapered pin) is installed through both the lifeline insert 1202 and the retainer shell 1204. At 1510, another layer of heat shrink 1404 is added over the retention retainer and a portion of the lifeline for protection.

[0038] Fig.16 is a flow chart depicting a method of arresting a user from falling, including providing a housing having a lifeline therein, at 1602, wherein the housing is connected to a structure and the lifeline is connected to a user. Paying out a portion of the lifeline from the housing during a normal operating condition, at 1604, while retaining a retained portion of the lifeline in the housing, wherein the retained portion is retained within the housing by a retention retainer attached to a point on the lifeline. Paying out the retained portion from the housing during a fall operating condition, at 1606, and activating an arrest mechanism to apply a braking force to the lifeline based on paying out the retained portion, at 1608.

[0039] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail and with reference to its specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the embodiments. Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to cover modifications and variations of the present disclosure as long as they fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A fall restraint device comprising: a housing having a lifeline therein; a fall prevention mechanism configured to apply a braking force to the lifeline based on movement of the lifeline; as well as a retention retainer attached to the lifeline, the retention retainer configured to retain a portion of the lifeline in the housing during a first operating condition; wherein the fall restraining device is configured to allow the retained portion of the lifeline to extend from the housing during a second operating condition, wherein the fall arrest mechanism is configured to apply a braking force to the lifeline during the second operating condition.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first operating condition is a non-fall operating condition, and wherein the second operating condition is a fall operating condition.

3. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the lifeline comprises a synthetic material including a plurality of strands, wherein the retention retainer is attached between the strands of the lifeline.

4. The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the retention holder comprises: a lifeline insert configured to be inserted between strands of the lifeline, the lifeline insert comprising a first aperture; a retainer housing having a plurality of second apertures; as well as A retaining pin is configured to traverse the first hole and the plurality of second holes.

5. The device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a heat shrink material which partially covers the retention holder and partially covers the lifeline.

6. The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a retaining pin is configured to prevent the retention holder from sliding along the lifeline.

7. The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lifeline insert comprises a deformable rubber.

8. The device of one of the preceding claims, further comprising a lifeline stop, wherein the fall limiting device is configured to retain the portion of the lifeline during the first operating condition based on an interaction between the retention retainer and the lifeline stop.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the lifeline stop is configured to deform, break, or become displaced from the housing during the second operating condition.

10. The device of claim 8 or 9, wherein the lifeline stop is configured to deform, break, or become displaced based on a force applied to the lifeline stop by the retention retainer.

11. The device of one of claims 8 to 10, wherein a deformed, broken or displaced lifeline stop provides an indication that a fall has occurred.

12. The device of one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the retention retainer is configured to deform or break upon interaction with the lifeline stop in the second operating condition such that the retained portion of the lifeline is allowed to extend from the housing.

13. The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the portion of the lifeline is wound around a drum within the housing, wherein the fall prevention mechanism is activated upon rotation of the drum to apply a braking force.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the fall prevention mechanism includes one or more pawls configured to rotate to an extended position based on rotation of the drum above a threshold rate during the second operating condition.

15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fall prevention mechanism comprises a tolerance ring.

16. The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises a connection structure for connecting the fall limit device directly or indirectly to a structure.

17. The device of one of the preceding claims, wherein the lifeline comprises a clip or a loop configured for connecting the lifeline to a user's safety belt.

18. The device of one of the preceding claims, wherein the fall arrest mechanism is configured to apply a braking force at any time the second operating condition occurs, regardless of the amount of lifeline paid out from the housing before the second operating condition begins.

19. The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fall limiting device is configured to send an alarm upon detection of the second operating condition.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the alert is a signal wirelessly sent from the fall limit device to a computing system.

21. A method of preventing a user from falling, comprising: providing a housing having a lifeline therein, wherein the housing is connected to a structure and the lifeline is connected to the user; paying out a portion of the lifeline from the housing during normal operating conditions while retaining a retained portion of the lifeline in the housing, wherein the retained portion is retained within the housing by a retention retainer attached to a point on the lifeline; releasing the retained portion from the housing during a fall operating condition; as well as A stopping mechanism is activated upon paying out the retained portion to apply a braking force to the lifeline.

22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising: Attach the retention retainer to the lifeline by: inserting a lifeline insert between the strands of the lifeline, the lifeline insert comprising a first aperture; inserting the lifeline into a retainer housing having a second plurality of apertures; as well as A retaining pin is installed across the first hole and the plurality of second holes.

23. The method of claim 21 or 22, wherein the retained portion is retained within the housing based on interaction between the retention retainer and a lifeline stop, wherein the method further comprises: The lifeline stop is broken or disconnected from the housing during the fall operating condition to allow the retained portion to be released from the housing.

24. A fall restraint device comprising: a housing having a lifeline therein; a fall prevention mechanism configured to apply a braking force to the lifeline based on movement of the lifeline; a retention retainer attached to said lifeline; as well as a lifeline stop connected to the housing, the lifeline stop being configured to interact with the retention retainer to retain a portion of the lifeline in the housing during normal operating conditions, wherein the lifeline stop is configured to be broken or disconnected from the housing based on a force applied to the lifeline stop by the retention retainer that is greater than a threshold force.

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